David_Gerard comments on Against utility functions - Less Wrong

40 Post author: Qiaochu_Yuan 19 June 2014 05:56AM

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Comment author: David_Gerard 21 June 2014 09:48:49PM 0 points [-]

My first guess would be that evolution has selected us for circular preferences that our genes money-pump so that we will propagate them. You can't get off this ride while you're human.

Comment author: [deleted] 21 June 2014 10:12:59PM 2 points [-]

You can't get off this ride while you're human.

Is that a challenge?

Comment author: David_Gerard 21 June 2014 10:36:39PM *  -1 points [-]

:-) I mean that if you embody human value, you'll probably be a money-pumpable entity. Very few humans actually achieve an end to desire while still alive and mentally active.

Comment author: [deleted] 22 June 2014 07:08:01AM 1 point [-]

I'll take the challenge, then. I was already walking around thinking that the Four Noble Truths of the Buddha are a bunch of depressing bullshit that need to be fixed.